Building site worker buried alive in concrete

Jan 2 2010 By Laura Caroe, The Journal

A DAD who was left with severe cement burns after he was buried alive during a horrific building site accident has won substantial compensation.

Tommy Clough was traumatised after he fell through some foundations and landed five metres below on his ankle at the Freeman Hospital’s new cancer centre site, in Newcastle.

He was trapped after wet concrete poured in, covering his entire body.

It took 10 minutes for his colleagues to pull him free and the 30-year-old was left with severe cement burns across his entire body, leaving unsightly burns.

Mr Clough, who worked for Laing O’Rourke on the construction site when the accident happened in December 2005, also suffered a broken ankle and post traumatic stress disorder for a number of years.

The father-of-two from Houghton- le-Spring said it was the worst experience he had ever had in his life and he would be scared to ever step on to a construction site again.

He said: "When the concrete started pouring on top of me I thought it was the end.

"I thought I was dead. It was so heavy I couldn’t get out of it. It was absolutely terrifying. It seemed like an eternity before I was pulled out. I have had real problems dealing with memories of that.

"It was very difficult to continue life as normal and not only for me but also for my wife and my two kids. It was a horrible time for all of us.

"But I was relieved when the burns healed and didn’t scar. I thought I was going to be scarred for life."

After three operations on his ankle, Tommy has been told he may need an ankle replacement in the future and he required extensive counselling to help him deal with flashback and nightmares.

He was only able to end his counselling sessions two years ago.

Now Mr Clough has started working for Sunderland City Council as a bin wagon driver.

He said: "Now I am working as a bin man but I’m on half my pre-accident wages. It makes day-to-day living very difficult but this compensation will be a big help."

Following the accident Mr Clough pursued a claim for compensation with the help of Thompsons Solicitors.

Laing O’Rourke admitted liability and settled the undisclosed claim out of court.

Mick Laffey, from Thompsons Solicitors, said: "Construction sites are inherently extremely dangerous workplaces but strict health and safety regulations mean accidents like this one should be avoided.

"Here the supporting scaffolding was not erected properly."